What is the electron?

What is the electron?

• A. Electron
• B. Proton
• C. Neutron
• D. Positron

Answer: (A)

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus in the atom’s electron cloud. They have a very small mass—much less than protons or neutrons—and carry a negative charge equal in magnitude to the proton’s positive charge. They belong to the lepton family and play a primary role in chemical bonding and electricity. Protons are positively charged and reside in the nucleus, neutrons are neutral and also in the nucleus, and a positron is the antimatter counterpart of the electron with a positive charge. So, the description that best matches a negatively charged, orbiting subatomic particle is the electron.

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus in the atom’s electron cloud. They have a very small mass—much less than protons or neutrons—and carry a negative charge equal in magnitude to the proton’s positive charge. They belong to the lepton family and play a primary role in chemical bonding and electricity. Protons are positively charged and reside in the nucleus, neutrons are neutral and also in the nucleus, and a positron is the antimatter counterpart of the electron with a positive charge. So, the description that best matches a negatively charged, orbiting subatomic particle is the electron.